Definition of: confession

(kən·fesh′ən) noun
1. The act of confessing; the avowal or acknowledgment of an action, especially of one that is inculpatory or sinful; admission: a confession of crime.
2. An acknowledgment of belief (in another); recognition of a relation (to another): confession of Christ.
3. Law A voluntary declaration or acknowledgment by a party against whom some misdeed or default is alleged in respect of such allegation.
4. A formulary of faith: also called confession of faith.
5. A formulary of public worship embodying a general admission of common sinfulness, used in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and other liturgies.
6. The contrite acknowledgment to a priest of any sins committed: a part of the sacrament of penance and a condition of absolution: called in full sacramental or auricular confession.
7. An organization, as a church or communion, using a confession of faith.
8. The tomb of a martyred Christian; also, an altar over such a tomb or the basilica in which the altar stood; an altar–tomb confessionary. See synonyms under APOLOGY.